The Legend of Zelda, its characters and locations are all property of Nintendo. Any and all OCs and original locations belong to me unless specifically stated to belong to someone else.
The Voice
29 - Overgrown Cuccoo
Link stared up at the sky, his eyes tracking the dark shape darting in and out of the clouds, a sinking feeling in his stomach. He'd had a bad feeling about...something ever since they'd left the forest, and now he knew exactly what it was. A premonition.
"Right," Sheik said slowly in Link's hand, the Hylian holding him up so his lens was also directed at the sky. "I'm starting to see a problem we might have to solve here."
"It's f-flying," Link said.
"Well, it is a bird," the slate said. "I just...something that big, composed of those materials, shouldn't be able to fly. Never mind that it wouldn't be able to leave the ground in the first place, it'd collapse under its own weight." His screen flashed. "Then again, Vah Ruta and Vah Rudania don't seem to be crumpling any time soon, so I'm guessing we can, once again, blame f—"
"M-Magic, yes, I g-get it," Link said, shivering as another gust of wind blew past them.
It felt like the cold went right through him, chilling him to the bone. He placed Sheik back on his belt and wrapped his arms around himself, rubbing his biceps, trying to regain some warmth through the friction...with negligible results.
The Champion's Tunic was a beautiful piece of tailoring, of that there was no doubt, but despite the thickness of its fabric it did little to keep the chill out. The Sheikah scarf wrapped around his neck helped a little, but Link really wished whoever made it had thought of the cold mountain environments its wearer would be braving.
It was Sheik's idea, to wear the tunic as he entered the Rito Village, the Master Sword proudly displayed on his back. It'd give his presence the gravitas he deserved, or some such, and would help persuade the people there that he truly was the Hero of Hyrule, and they wouldn't have to go through any, as Sheik put, political bullshit to prove who he was.
Really, the Sword alone was proof enough, in Link's opinion. Everyone knew about the Sword that Seals the Darkness—the tunic was just that—a tunic of a distinctive colour with Hylian designs. Not exactly a rarity, surely?
But Sheik had started arguing, and Link hadn't had the energy to protest, begrudgingly wearing the tunic over his undershirt...which didn't do a damn thing to keep out the cold. So, there he was, freezing his arse off in the hopes that people would take him seriously.
...and now he had a new problem on his hands, that he had no idea of how to solve.
"H-How are w-we going to get up th-there?" he asked, carefully trudging down the iced-over path leading into the small valley in which the Rito Village was located.
He could see the settlement from here, built on and around a jagged tooth of a cliff jutting out of the island in the middle of the circular lake. A distinctive landmark, certainly, and perfectly suited for the winged people inhabiting it. Link couldn't remember any Rito he had met in the past, but as the Hylian Champion he surely would have had, at some point. There'd been a Rito Champion, after all.
"I have no idea," Sheik admitted. "But we'll figure something out. I hope."
"F-For f-future reference," Link said, his heart jumping in his chest when his boot heel slid on a patch of ice, "d-don't add the 'I hope' bit."
If the ice wasn't so damn patchy, and he wasn't so cold, he'd gladly risk the damage to his shield by surfing down the hill. The paraglider wasn't of much help either, because, again, the cold was so unbearable.
"Duly noted," Sheik said. "Might wanna pick up the pace, by the way, your temperature's still dropping."
"And wh-whose f-fault is th-that?" Link asked, his stutter not caused by his stupid nerves for once, teeth chattering a little.
"Look, you want to be taken directly to their leader, this is what you have to be wearing, or I'm sure you'll have to prove yourself or something by bringing ten wolf pelts." Sheik huffed. "Or collect lost feathers. I bet the Rito shed. A lot."
That was really neither here nor there, and Link chose not to engage, shaking his head and focusing on not slipping and breaking his neck on the way down the hill.
He'd had enough embarrassments for a lifetime.
He really should have been expecting the stares. It hadn't been any different in the Zora's Domain, or with the Gorons, but still every gaze felt like it was penetrating his skin and laying bare his entire being, their judgement raining down on him like arrows.
The tall, spear-wielding guards didn't stop his approach, and while the few avian, crow-like inhabitants of the village he encountered on the way didn't impede him as he climbed the stairs, he didn't feel entirely welcome, either. Most of the doors to the houses built into the mountain were closed, but he could hear voices from within, some angry, others wailing.
His thighs were burning from the sheer number of steps he'd climbed so far, and he had to take a small break as he reached a ledge with a walkway going along the side of the mountain, and several open-walled buildings that appeared to be housing shops of some sort, judging by the shelves of items and signs showing prices. There was a mannequin showing off an outfit clearly made for Hylians (or beings of similar sizes and proportions that weren't covered in feathers), and Link couldn't help but gravitate towards it, suddenly feeling so much colder without it...
"Ah, hello! And welcome to Brazen Beak!"
Someday, Link really hoped he'd stop being so jumpy. That day clearly wasn't today, however, as he yelped, nearly knocking the mannequin down.
"Smooth," Sheik whispered as Link righted the wobbling doll.
"Sh-Shut up," he hissed back before turning to the shopkeeper, who was regarding him from behind the counter with a quizzical, albeit amused expression. "H-Hello," he greeted in return, plastering his best, fake smile on his face.
"Brazen Beak?" Sheik continued just loud enough for Link to hear him, "Awful name—just for the alliteration, I bet."
Tapping the slate forcefully, Link kept smiling at the shopkeeper.
"It's been a while since we've had Hylians coming in," the Rito, his plumage a dark, reddish-purple, said as he came around the counter, looking Link up and down, eyes darting from the mannequin to Link, and back. "Hm, interested in the snowquill, are we?"
"Er...y-yes?" Link said.
"I can certainly believe that, you look positively freezing!" The Rito blinked. "Ah, but where are my manners? My name is Nekk, owner and proprietor of Brazen Beak." He held out a hand, and Link couldn't help but stare at it for a moment before shaking it with his own.
There were so many feathers...and the hand itself was huge, but it felt delicate when the large fingers closed around Link's hand.
"L-Link," he replied.
"Pleased to meet you," Nekk said, not noticing Link's blatant staring...or pretending not to, at least. "Now, the snowquill outfit," he said, gesturing to the mannequin. "Custom-made for Hylians trekking through the mountains—and just about your size, fortuitously enough. I take it you are interested?"
"V-Very," Link admitted. It hadn't exactly gotten any warmer since he'd started climbing, the altitude and lack of shelter letting the wind blow freely through the village. He reached for his pouch. "H-How m-much?"
Link was not prepared for the number Nekk said at that moment. His eyes widened, and Nekk could only offer an apologetic shrug.
"Times are tough," the tall Rito said. "Fewer travellers, cost of raw material...and we just lost...well, never mind about that. I'm afraid I can't negotiate the price."
Link thought about the money pouch in his pack. It had been drooping sadly at his last count, and definitely didn't contain enough rupees to cover the cost of the snowquill outfit. He didn't need to do a recount to know there was no way he could afford it, to his chagrin.
"Out of m-my p-price range," Link said, giving Nekk a small smile. "P-Perhaps s-some other t-time?"
"I understand," Nekk said, nodding. "Is there something else that catches your eye?"
There really wasn't. Odds and ends, and more clothes that were clearly cut and shaped for the tall, slender Rito than a short (admittedly) Hylian. Luckily, Nekk seemed to understand, nodding.
"Do feel free to come back, though," he said, turning back to the counter.
"W-Wait," Link said. "I n-need t-to speak with your l-leader. C-Can you t-tell me where t-to go?"
Nekk nodded, pointing towards another set of stairs near the walkway. Link groaned inwardly. "Just follow the steps," Nekk said. "Kaneli's roost is at the very top of the village. He might be a little swamped today, however, so you'll probably have to wait a bit."
"Th-Thank you," Link said, stepping out of the shop and resuming his ascent.
"Outrageous," Sheik muttered. "Who the hell is he going to sell that outfit to, if not you? There isn't exactly a surplus of Hylians around. Should have distracted him, grabbed the outfit, and run."
"Th-That's stealing," Link reminded him.
"Consider it another donation to the Hero of Hyrule's Protection Fund," Sheik argued. "We're overdue a fundraiser, and now accept useful items as well!"
Link shook his head. It was one thing to ransack a bokoblin camp for valuables after he'd fought the occupants, but he liked to think he was above certain actions. Maybe there was some way he could earn the necessary rupees? He'd have to ask around the village...
"I know that look," Sheik said. "You're considering doing odd jobs, aren't you? Link, you're a hero, you shouldn't have to perform menial labour just so you can afford the equipment you need to save the world!"
Easier said than done, Link thought, but didn't voice it out loud.
He reached another ledge, and followed the path along the side of the mountain. Another shop, which seemed to be selling weapons and other equipment, like arrows. He walked past it, deciding to peruse it later, after finishing his business with the Rito leader.
He paused when he spotted a large, wooden platform jutting out of the mountain itself. It looked like some sort of meeting spot, but the far edge of it was wide open, not a guardrail in sight. Arrow-like designs had been painted along the edge, pointing outwards to the sheer drop to the lake below. There appeared to be a group of Rito children (who looked remarkably like overgrown cuccoos, to Link's internal amusement) milling about on it, looking sad.
There was something familiar about that platform, but he wasn't able to fully place it. He'd seen it before, then, but when? How? Just as he was about to mention it to Sheik, he felt migraine coming on once again, like a needle stuck right through his eye and into his brain.
"Link?" Sheik asked. "Link, are you—"
"Impressive, I know..."
"Yet I have made an art of creating..."
"With proper utilisation of my superior skills..."
"...pardon me for being so blunt...I am the most skilled archer of all the Rito..."
"...tapped to merely assist you..."
"...that little darkness-sealing sword on your back..."
"...I mean...it's just asinine..."
"...I forgot, you have no way of making it up to the Divine Beast on your own! Good luck sealing the darkness!"
At least having his memories return wasn't as debilitating as it had been when he first started this journey. Before, it would have knocked him out cold, but now he was just left with the mother of all headaches for a while, and a little fatigue that quickly faded with a bit of rest.
He was sitting on the walkway, sheltered from the wind by a natural cubby, leaning against the rocky wall and basking in the sunlight, just letting time pass as he waited for his heart to stop racing, mulling over what he'd just remembered.
Passers-by, a steady stream of Rito descending from the top of the mountain, kept giving him strange glances, but none of them seemed interested in speaking to the strange Hylian who'd just showed up in their village.
"Sounds like a real piece of work," Sheik muttered quietly as another Rito walked by, having listened to Link recount the memory. "Revali, was it?"
"Mhm," Link hummed, closing his eyes. He couldn't remember much else about the Champion, Revali, but that particular memory had been filled with what felt like a deep-seated dislike of the blue-feathered Rito. His words and actions certainly hadn't done much to quell that dislike, and Link was wondering if the Champions hadn't been as tight-knit a group as he'd assumed. Mipha and Daruk had certainly been good friends of his, but Revali...
A shadow fell over him, and he opened his eyes, meeting the gaze of a male Rito with white feathers and a severe look on his face. The corners of his beak were turned down as he studied Link for a moment, all the while adjusting the bow on his back and the quiver of arrows at his hip. Then, as if deciding Link was beneath his notice, he gave a derisive huff and walked off, descending to the platform before taking off at a run, diving off the platform and spreading his wings. The children all watched him in silence before gathering in a huddle, squeaky voices chattering excitedly.
"What was his problem?" Sheik asked.
"N-No idea," Link said, standing up, thankful that his companion had evidently decided not to pick fights with everyone for once. Or perhaps he was just saving his energy for the Rito chief? Goddess, he hoped not. Dorephan had been kind and patient enough to let Sheik make as much noise as he pleased, but Link couldn't count on that sort of luck everywhere he went.
"You're thinking about me embarrassing you, aren't you?" Sheik asked suspiciously.
Link didn't answer.
The absolute worst part of Sheik's insistence on Link following his plan for being recognised as the Hero of Hyrule, wearing both the Champion's Tunic and the Master Sword on his back, was that it didn't work.
At all.
And no amount of insistence on Link's part helped, the old Rito convinced that Link was only a descendant of the original Hylian Champion instead of the real deal. Which...was fair, he supposed, but it still annoyed him greatly when Kaneli simply nodded good-naturedly when he pointed out both the tunic and the sword as proof.
(He thanked his lucky stars for having the forethought of muting Sheik before entering the chief's house, or they'd all be going deaf by now, he was sure. He was not looking forward to what Sheik would have to say later.)
"Impressive heirlooms, to be sure," the chief said, his big eyes blinking—dare he say it—owlishly. "But the Champions are all dead, I'm afraid...and we are left." He sighed. "Albeit fewer, now."
In one motion, the Rito gathered in the chief's house all looked up through the gaps of the ceiling. High above, the dark shape that was Vah Medoh continued flying through the clouds.
"Vah Medoh was once our protector," Kaneli said, his beak clicking slightly as he spoke. "But now, it has become our worst enemy. For the longest time, it has simply...been there. Now, it is actively antagonising us. Several of our warriors mounted an attack upon the Beast, but they were repelled by its defences...only two made it back."
Link had noted the small number of warriors among the Rito he'd seen so far, but he'd assumed the rest were somewhere else, tending to other duties. It was no wonder the village was so quiet and subdued. They were all in mourning.
Link bowed his head respectfully. "I am s-sorry for y-your loss," he said. "Th-There was a warrior, b-before...wh-white feathers?"
"Teba," Kaneli said, nodding. "He was the one who led the attack—"
"He got them all killed!" spat a female Rito, her eyes wet with unshed tears. "It's his fault!"
An uncomfortable silence descended upon the room, and Link couldn't help but shift uncomfortably as the obviously grieving Rito was led outside, followed by the rest of the gathered villagers, leaving Link and the chief alone.
"You have come at a bad time, I'm afraid," Kaneli said, visibly deflating in his seat. "As inspiring a sight as a descendant of the great Hylian Champion should be, I'm afraid your presence is overshadowed by our grief. I am sorry for the lack of proper welcome you have received so far."
I'm not a descendant of the Hylian Champion, Link thought. I am the Hylian Champion!
He knew when to pick his battles, however, and remained silent.
"May I ask why you are here?" the chief continued, looking at him with a curious glint in his eyes. "It has been quite some time since our last visit from an outsider."
Taking a breath, Link steeled himself. "I am h-here to h-help you," he said. "With the B-Beast."
Kaneli blinked. "I...see," he said, surprised. "And how do you intend to do that? Pardon my rudeness, but how can a sole Hylian succeed where all of our warriors failed?"
"S-Same way I t-tamed Vah Ruta and Vah Rudania," he said, wondering how the Rito had failed to notice the gigantic machines appearing on the cliffs to the south-east and north-east.
"My scouts have reported rumours of the taming of two of the Beasts, but we assumed it was all wishful thinking," Kaneli said, his large fingers drumming on the armrests of his seat, his eyes focusing on the slate. "I do recognise that tool, however. Made by the ancient Sheikah, is it not?"
Link nodded. "It a-allows me t-to s-speak to the B-Beasts," he said. "C-Control them."
Kaneli looked a little more animated at that. "Is that so? Well, perhaps they aren't just rumours after all. Tell me, Hylian, do you intend to follow in the footsteps of your ancestor?"
"I d-do," Link said, quietly offended at how the Rito chief seemed incapable of remembering his name. Old age was definitely hitting Kaneli harder than it was King Dorephan. "B-But I n-need help getting t-to it."
His memory of Revali had made that abundantly clear—Link had no way of getting to Vah Medoh himself. The Beast was simply flying too high, and there was no updraft powerful enough to lift his paraglider to that sort of altitude. Revali had apparently had the ability to create powerful updrafts, but had not seen fit to share that knowledge. That, or he'd told Link and Link had just plain forgotten thanks to the Shrine of Resurrection.
That'd be just his luck, really.
As it were, however, he suspected he'd need the help of a Rito to get up there, but from the way the villagers had looked at him with doubt or suspicion, he had a feeling none of them would be particularly willing to speak to him, and especially not fly him directly to the machine that had just killed their warriors. Their family members.
"A dangerous task," Kaneli said uncertainly. "I doubt you would find many volunteers for it, and I'm hesitant to dispatch the few warriors we have left to assist you. I would fly you myself, but my strength is no longer what it was." He paused. "But perhaps...hm..."
"P-Perhaps?" Link asked.
"Teba," Kaneli said. "He blames himself for the deaths of our warriors, and I fear he may be preparing to attack Vah Medoh once more, alone this time, to atone for it. If you were to talk to him, perhaps you could convince him to fly you up there—two heads are better than one, after all, and I'm sure you could find a way past the defences together!" The chief leaned forward, studying Link closely. "If you are anything like your ancestor, I believe you will achieve success!"
Weren't you doubting me just five minutes ago? Link wondered, but nodding just the same.
"Wh-Where can I f-find him?" Link asked, describing how Teba had flown off.
"I...do not know," Kaneli admitted. "However, I'm sure Harth or Saki can help you find him. You will find them below."
He gave Link descriptions of the two Rito in question, and sent him on his way with his best wishes. Link couldn't help but feel he was being a condescended to, as if the Rito chief didn't actually believe that Link was going to be able to do anything about the Beast, despite his earlier words, but letting him go about his business anyway.
That's all right, Link thought. I'll show you what this descendant is capable of!
"That lousy, feather-brained, overgrown cuccoo," Sheik muttered once Link worked up the courage to un-mute him on the way down the stairs, clearly referring to the chief. "He didn't take you seriously. You noticed, right? He thinks you're just some whippersnapper swinging his grandfather's sword around."
"He's o-old," Link said, shivering again now that he wasn't sheltered from the wind anymore. He considered pointing out to Sheik that his plan of being recognised hadn't worked, but right now he was just happy his companion wasn't going apoplectic with rage at having been muzzled for the entire meeting.
"Not a good excuse; it's just rude," Sheik said. "And don't think you're off the hook for muting me, by the way. I'm just choosing to let the matter go for the moment."
Damn!
Eugh, this chapter really didn't want to come out. Doesn't help that the Rito Village is the least interesting location in BotW (quest-wise, at least) and not easy to expand on. Just need to get Link to Teba, and things can really take off (pun intended)!
*edit* And of course it's cuccoo, not chicken. I'm an idiot!
